Projector apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a projector apparatus including a color separation optical system which separates illumination light into a plurality of color light components, a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with the plurality of color light components, respectively, a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the light components from the plurality of image forming panels illuminated, a projecting optical system which projects light from the color synthesis optical system, and transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incident and exit surface sides of the plurality of image forming panels, each of the transparent substrates holding a polarizer, wherein a surface area of at least one of the plurality of transparent substrates is larger than those of the remaining transparent substrates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a projector apparatus fordisplaying an enlarged computer image or video image.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] In recent years, image display apparatuses such as liquid crystalprojectors are required to improve brightness. FIG. 15 shows thearrangement of a conventional projecting image display apparatus(projector apparatus).

[0005] Referring to FIG. 15, white light emitted from a light sourcesection 101 of an ultrahigh-pressure mercury-vapor lamp is reflected bya reflector 102 and transmitted through fly-eye lenses 103 and 104. Thedirection of polarization is aligned through a PS conversion element 105by a mirror which separates light into p-polarized light and s-polarizedlight and a λ/2-plate which changes the polarization direction. Thelight that emerges from the PS conversion element 105 passes through acondenser lens 106 and the like. After that, a red-band light componentis transmitted through a dichroic mirror DM101. Green- and blue-bandlight components are reflected by the dichroic mirror DM101. Theblue-band light component is transmitted through a dichroic mirrorDM102. The green-band light component is reflected by the dichroicmirror DM102. With this arrangement, the illumination light is separatedinto the light components in the red, green, and blue bands.

[0006] Each color light component becomes incident on a correspondingone of liquid crystal display elements 109R, 109G, and 109B and ismodulated. These color light components are synthesized by a dichroicprism 111 and enlarged and projected onto a projection surface by aprojecting lens 112.

[0007] Each color band will be described in more detail. The red-bandlight component transmitted through the dichroic mirror DM101 is changedin its optical path by 90° by a reflecting mirror M101, passes through afield lens 107R, becomes incident on an incident-side polarizing plate108RI and liquid crystal display element 109R, and is modulated here.

[0008] The modulated red-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 110RO and dichroic prism 111 in this order. The opticalpath is changed by 90° by the dichroic prism 111. Then, the lightcomponent becomes incident on the projecting lens 112. The dichroicprism 111 is formed by bonding four prisms with adhesive such that ithas an almost cross-shaped wavelength selection reflecting layer.

[0009] On the other hand, the green- and blue-band light componentsreflected and changed in their operation paths by 90° by the dichroicmirror DM101 become incident on the dichroic mirror DM102. The dichroicmirror DM102 has a characteristic for reflecting a green-band lightcomponent G. Hence, the green-band light component is reflected andchanged in its optical path by 90° by the dichroic mirror DM1102,transmitted through a field lens 107G, becomes incident on anincident-side polarizing plate 108GI and liquid crystal display element109G, and is modulated here.

[0010] The modulated green-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 110GO and dichroic prism 111 in this order, passesthrough the dichroic prism 111, and becomes incident on the projectinglens 112.

[0011] The blue-band light component transmitted through the dichroicmirror DM102 passes through a condenser lens 113, relay lens 114,reflecting mirrors M102 and M103, and field lens 107B, becomes incidenton an incident-side polarizing plate 108BI and liquid crystal displayelement 109B, and is modulated here.

[0012] The modulated blue-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 110BO and dichroic prism 111 in this order, is changedin its optical path by 90° by the dichroic prism 111, and becomesincident on the projecting lens 112.

[0013] The light components in the respective color bands, which areincident on the projecting lens 112 in the above-described manner, areprojected onto the projection surface and displayed as an enlargedimage.

[0014] In the above-described conventional projecting image displayapparatus, a polarizing plate is normally formed by bonding afilm-shaped polarizer b to transparent substrate a, as shown in FIG. 16,such that a predetermined polarizing characteristic can be exhibited.Both the incident-side polarizing plates and the exit-side polarizingplates are formed by bonding predetermined polarizers to transparentsubstrates, which have identical shapes independently of colors, for therespective color bands.

[0015] An incident-side polarizing plate absorbs light having a rotatingpolarization axis and converts the light into heat to align thepolarization direction of light that becomes incident on a liquidcrystal display element. In an exit-side polarizing plate, when thedisplay color is black, the polarization axis of the polarizing plate isperpendicular to the amplitude of light emerging from a liquid crystaldisplay element. Since all light components are absorbed and convertedinto heat, the heat load is very high.

[0016] If the aperture ratio of a liquid crystal display element is low,and the light amount of a lamp to be used is small, transparentsubstrates, e.g., glass substrates (the heat conductivity is about 1.2W/(m·K)) having identical shapes suffice, as in the prior art.

[0017] Recently, 1.3 inches liquid crystal display elements have anaperture ratio of 60% even though the number of pixels is about 770,000.Some liquid crystal display elements improve the brightness of aprojected image by increasing the power consumption of a lamp. Liquidcrystal display elements themselves are also becoming compact.

[0018] The heat load changes for each color band and also depending onwhether the polarizing plate is on the incident side or exit side. Forexample, when color purity of at least one of a plurality of color bandsshould be changed, the heat load on the incident- or exit-sidepolarizing plate of a specific color band increases. For this reason,the heat load on some incident- or exit-side polarizing platesincreases, resulting in degradation in performance of the polarizingplate.

[0019] To solve the problem of heat load on a polarizing plate, sapphirewhose heat conductivity (42 W/(m·K)) is about 40 times higher than thatof a transparent glass substrate is used as a substrate to which apolarizer is bonded, as is proposed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 11-231277.

[0020] However, sapphire is expensive. Use of sapphire is preferablyavoided as much as possible from the viewpoint of cost. Especially, a3-plate projecting image display apparatus as shown in FIG. 15 uses atotal of six polarizing plates on the incident and exit sides. Since aplurality of sapphire substrates are normally required, the cost largelyincreases.

[0021] In addition, to increase the cooling efficiency by a cooling fan,the power consumption of the cooling fan increases, or noise becomeslarge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,and has as its object to provide a projector apparatus which can reducecost while reliably preventing any degradation in image quality due toheat by effectively transmitting heat of a polarizing plate to atransparent substrate in correspondence with the heat load on thepolarizer and efficiently radiating the heat by the transparentsubstrate.

[0023] In order to achieve the above object, according to the presentinvention, there is provided a projector apparatus comprising:

[0024] a color separation optical system which separates illuminationlight into a plurality of color light components;

[0025] a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with theplurality of color light components, respectively;

[0026] a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the lightcomponents from the plurality of image forming panels illuminated;

[0027] a projecting optical system which projects light from the colorsynthesis optical system; and

[0028] transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incidentand exit surface sides of the plurality of image forming panels, each ofthe transparent substrates holding a polarizer,

[0029] wherein a thickness of at least one of the plurality oftransparent substrates is larger than those of the remaining transparentsubstrates.

[0030] In the present invention, the thickness of the at least onetransparent substrate is preferably not less than 1.2 times larger thanthose of the remaining transparent substrates.

[0031] In order to achieve the above object, according to the presentinvention, there is also provided a projector apparatus comprising:

[0032] a color separation optical system which separates illuminationlight into a plurality of color light components;

[0033] a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with theplurality of color light components, respectively;

[0034] a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the lightcomponents from the plurality of image forming panels illuminated;

[0035] a projecting optical system which projects light from the colorsynthesis optical system; and

[0036] transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incidentand exit surface sides of the plurality of image forming panels, each ofthe transparent substrates holding a polarizer,

[0037] wherein an area ratio of at least one of the plurality oftransparent substrates to a polarizer held by the at least onetransparent substrate is larger than area ratios of the remainingtransparent substrates to polarizers held by the remaining transparentsubstrates.

[0038] In the present invention, the area ratio of the at least onetransparent substrate to the polarizer held by the at least onetransparent substrate is not less than 1.2 times larger than the arearatios of the remaining transparent substrates to the polarizers held bythe remaining transparent substrates.

[0039] According to the present invention, there is also provided aprojector apparatus comprising:

[0040] a color separation optical system which separates illuminationlight into a plurality of color light components;

[0041] a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with theplurality of color light components, respectively;

[0042] a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the lightcomponents from the plurality of image forming panels illuminated;

[0043] a projecting optical system which projects light from the colorsynthesis optical system; and

[0044] transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incidentand exit surface sides of the plurality of image forming panels, each ofthe transparent substrates holding a polarizer,

[0045] wherein an area of at least one of the plurality of transparentsubstrates is larger than those of the remaining transparent substrates.

[0046] In the present invention, the area of the at least onetransparent substrate is not less than 1.2 times larger than those ofthe remaining transparent substrates.

[0047] According to the present invention, there is also provided aprojector apparatus comprising:

[0048] a color separation optical system which separates illuminationlight into a plurality of color light components;

[0049] a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with theplurality of color light components, respectively;

[0050] a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the lightcomponents from the plurality of image forming panels illuminated;

[0051] a projecting optical system which projects light from the colorsynthesis optical system; and

[0052] transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incidentand exit surface sides of the plurality of image forming panels, each ofthe transparent substrates holding a polarizer,

[0053] wherein a surface area of at least one of the plurality oftransparent substrates is larger than those of the remaining transparentsubstrates.

[0054] In the present invention, the at least one transparent substratehas a shape with a curvature, and the remaining transparent substrateshave a planar shape.

[0055] In the present invention, the plurality of transparent substratesare essentially formed from a material selected from the groupconsisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass.

[0056] Additionally, in the present invention, the at least one of theplurality of transparent substrates and the remaining transparentsubstrates are essentially formed from different materials selected fromthe group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass.

[0057] Furthermore, in the present invention, the at least onetransparent substrate of the plurality of transparent substrates isessentially formed from a material selected from the group consisting ofsapphire, fluorite, and glass, and the remaining transparent substratesare essentially formed from one or two materials which are differentfrom the material of the at least one transparent substrate and areselected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass.

[0058] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent in the embodiments to bedescribed later in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059]FIG. 1 is a view showing the optical arrangement of a projectingimage display apparatus (projector apparatus) according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

[0060]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a red-bandpolarizing plate in the projecting image display apparatus according tothe first embodiment;

[0061]FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the thicknessof a transparent substrate and the temperature of the bonding interfaceof a polarizer in the projecting image display apparatus according tothe first embodiment;

[0062]FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing combinations of heat load andthe materials and thicknesses of transparent substrates in theprojecting image display apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0063]FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing other combinations of heat loadand the materials and thicknesses of transparent substrates in theprojecting image display apparatus according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0064]FIG. 6 is a view showing the optical arrangement of a projectingimage display apparatus (projector apparatus) according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of a red-bandpolarizing plate in the projecting image display apparatus according tothe second embodiment;

[0066]FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the area ratioof a transparent substrate to a polarizer and the temperature of thebonding interface of a polarizer in the projecting image displayapparatus according to the second embodiment;

[0067]FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing combinations of heat load andthe materials and area ratios of transparent substrates in theprojecting image display apparatus according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0068]FIGS. 10A and 10B are views showing other combinations of heatload and the materials and area ratios of transparent substrates in theprojecting image display apparatus according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0069]FIG. 11 is a view showing the optical arrangement of a projectingimage display apparatus (projector apparatus) according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention;

[0070]FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the structure of a fieldlens having a red-band polarizer in the projecting image displayapparatus according to the third embodiment;

[0071]FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing combinations of heat load andthe materials and shapes of transparent substrates in the projectingimage display apparatus according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0072]FIGS. 14A and 14B are views showing other combinations of heatload and the materials and shapes of transparent substrates in theprojecting image display apparatus according to the third embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0073]FIG. 15 is a view showing the optical arrangement of aconventional projecting image display apparatus; and

[0074]FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the structure of apolarizing plate in the conventional projecting image display apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0075]FIG. 1 shows the optical arrangement of a projecting image displayapparatus (projector apparatus) according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 1, white illumination light emitted from alight source section 1 of an ultrahigh-pressure mercury-vapor lamp isreflected by a reflector 2 and transmitted through fly-eye lenses 3 and4. The direction of polarization is aligned through a PS conversionelement 5 by a mirror which separates light into p-polarized light ands-polarized light and a λ/2-plate which changes the polarizationdirection. The light that emerges from the PS conversion element 5passes through a condenser lens 6 and the like. After that, a red-bandlight component is transmitted through a dichroic mirror DM1. Green- andblue-band light components are reflected by the dichroic mirror DM1. Theblue-band light component is transmitted through a dichroic mirror DM2.The green-band light component is reflected by the dichroic mirror DM2.With this arrangement, the illumination light is separated into thelight components in the red, green, and blue bands. The dichroic mirrorsform a color separation optical system.

[0077] Each color light component becomes incident on a correspondingone of liquid crystal display elements 9R, 9G, and 9B to form each colorimage. The color images are synthesized by a dichroic prism 11 servingas a color synthesis optical system and then projected onto a projectionsurface (screen) (not shown) by a projecting lens 12 serving as aprojecting optical system. Each of the above liquid crystal, displayelements is an image forming panel such as a liquid crystal displaypanel. A transmission-type image forming panel for passing light to forman image is used.

[0078] Each color band will be described in more detail. The red-bandlight component transmitted through the dichroic mirror DM1 is changedin its optical path by 90° by a reflecting mirror M1, passes through afield lens 7R, and becomes incident on an incident-side polarizing plate8RI and liquid crystal display element 9R. The liquid crystal displayelement 9R is driven in accordance with image information supplied froman image information supply apparatus (e.g., a personal computer, TV,video tape recorder, or DVD player) (not shown) and modulates thered-band light component incident thereon.

[0079] The modulated red-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10RO and dichroic prism 11 in this order. The opticalpath is changed by 90° by the dichroic prism 11. Then, the lightcomponent becomes incident on the projecting lens 12. The dichroic prism11 is a so-called cross dichroic prism formed by bonding four prismswith adhesive such that it has an almost cross-shaped wavelengthselection reflecting (dichroic) layer. In place of the cross dichroicprism, a so-called 3P (3-piece) or a 4P (4-piece) prism formed bybonding three or four prisms having different shapes may be used. Thecross dichroic prism, 3P (3-piece) prism, or 4P (4-piece) prismconstructs a color synthesis optical system.

[0080] On the other hand, the green- and blue-band light componentsreflected and changed in their operation paths by 90° by the dichroicmirror DM1 become incident on the dichroic mirror DM2. The dichroicmirror DM2 has a characteristic for reflecting a green-band lightcomponent G. Hence, the green-band light component is reflected andchanged in its optical path by 90° by the dichroic mirror DM2,transmitted through a field lens 7G, and becomes incident on anincident-side polarizing plate 8GI and liquid crystal display element9G. The liquid crystal display element 9G is driven in accordance withimage information supplied from an image information supply apparatus(not shown) and modulates the green-band light component incidentthereon.

[0081] The modulated green-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10GO and dichroic prism 11 in this order, passesthrough the dichroic prism 11, and becomes incident on the projectinglens 12.

[0082] The blue-band light component transmitted through the dichroicmirror DM2 is transmitted through a condenser lens 13, changed in itsoptical path by 90° by a reflecting mirror M2, transmitted through arelay lens 14, changed in its optical path by 90° again by a reflectingmirror M3, transmitted through a field lens 7B, and becomes incident onan incident-side polarizing plate 8BI and liquid crystal display element9B. The liquid crystal display element 9B is driven in accordance withimage information supplied from an image information supply apparatus(not shown) and modulates the blue-band light component incidentthereon.

[0083] The modulated blue-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10BO and dichroic prism 11 in this order, is changed inits optical path by 90° by the dichroic prism 11, and becomes incidenton the projecting lens 12.

[0084] The light components in the respective color bands, which aresynthesized by the dichroic prism 11, are projected onto the projectionsurface (screen) (not shown) by the projecting lens 12 and displayed asan enlarged image.

[0085] When the color purity of the red band is reduced (when anothercolor band near the red band is also included), a bright image isobtained. In this case, however, the heat load on the polarizing platearranged in the optical path of the red band increases.

[0086] A measure against this will be described below. As shown in FIG.2, in the incident-side polarizing plate 8RI (exit-side polarizing plate10RO) which passes a red-band light component, a polarizer 8 b (10 b) isbonded to (held by) a transparent substrate 8 a (10 a) such that apredetermined polarizing characteristic can be exhibited. If thetransparent substrates corresponding to the red-, green-, and blue-bandlight components are to be made of the same material such as fluorite, athickness t of the transparent substrate which passes the red-band lightcomponent is set to be larger than that of the transparent substrate ofthe incident-side polarizing plate 8GI or exit-side polarizing plate10GO which passes the green-band light component or the incident-sidepolarizing plate 8BI or exit-side polarizing plate 10BO which passes theblue-band light component.

[0087] The relationship between the thickness of a transparent substrateand the temperature of the bonding interface of a polarizer will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the relationshipbetween the thickness of a transparent substrate and the temperature ofthe bonding interface of a polarizer when a polarizer having apredetermined area is bonded to a transparent substrate having apredetermined area, and the polarizer generates predetermined heat. FIG.3 shows the relationship for each of cases wherein the transparentsubstrates are formed from glass (BK7: heat conductivity: about 1.2W/(m·K)), the transparent substrates are formed from fluorite (heatconductivity: about 9.7 W /(m·K)), and the transparent substrates areformed from sapphire (heat conductivity: 42 W/(m·K)).

[0088] The result shown in FIG. 3 is obtained when only cooling bynatural convection of air is executed without forcible cooling.

[0089] As is apparent from FIG. 3, if the transparent substrates aremade of the same material, the maximum temperature becomes lower as theboard thickness of the transparent substrate increases. That is, toprevent any degradation in performance due to heat of the polarizer, alarge board thickness is more advantageous. The result obtained when apolarizer is bonded to a sapphire substrate having a board thickness of0.5 mm is the same as the result obtained when a polarizer is bonded toa fluorite substrate having a board thickness of 1.1 mm.

[0090] As is apparent from this fact, even when the transparentsubstrate 8 a (10 a) of the incident-side polarizing plate 8RI orexit-side polarizing plate 10RO which passes the red-band lightcomponent is made of fluorite, the heat load can be sufficiently relaxedby making the board thickness of the transparent substrate larger thanthose of the remaining transparent substrates. More specifically, whenthe transparent substrate which passes the red-band light component isthicker than the transparent substrates which pass the remaining bandlight components by about 20% (about 1.2 times), the difference becomesconspicuous.

[0091] In this embodiment, the fluorite transparent substrates used forthe incident- and exit-side polarizing plates arranged in the opticalpath of the red-band light component are made thicker than the fluoritetransparent substrates used for the incident- and exit-side polarizingplates arranged in the optical paths of the remaining band lightcomponents. However, the transparent substrates of the incident- andexit-side polarizing plates arranged in the optical path of the green-or blue-band light component, for which the heat load increases due tothe cooling air channel or the like, may be made thicker than those forthe remaining band light components.

[0092] In addition, of the incident- and exit-side polarizing plates,only the transparent substrate of a polarizing plate with a high heatload may be thick.

[0093] The material of the transparent substrate is not limited tofluorite. A glass transparent substrate may be used depending on thedegree of heat load. In this case as well, when the board thickness isincreased by about 20%, the difference becomes conspicuous, as isapparent from FIG. 3.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, the board thickness of atransparent substrate is changed in accordance with heat load wherebythe heat of the polarizing plate can be effectively transmitted to thetransparent substrate and efficiently radiated by the transparentsubstrate.

[0095] Combinations of heat load and the materials and board thicknessesof transparent substrates when one of a plurality of transparentsubstrates is formed from a material different from that of theremaining transparent substrates will be described with reference toFIGS. 4A and 4B and FIGS. 5A and 5B. Two or three kinds of materials areused.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 4A, incident- or exit-side polarizing plates a,b, and c are arranged in three optical paths of light componentsseparated into three colors, respectively. For each polarizing plate, apolarizer is bonded to a transparent substrate.

[0097] Assume that the heat load on the respective polarizing platesincreases in an order of a, b, and c (in the polarizing plates a, b, andc, the polarizing plate a has the highest heat load, and the polarizingplate c has the lowest heat load). The transparent substrate of thepolarizing plate a is thicker (e.g., thicker by 1.2 times or more) thanthose of the polarizing plates b and c.

[0098]FIG. 4B shows effective combinations when two or more kinds ofmaterials are used for transparent substrates with the abovearrangement. FIG. 4B shows a table of combinations when materials A andB (heat conductivity: A>B) are employed for the transparent substratesof the polarizing plates a, b, and c shown in FIG. 4A. As one case,sapphire is used as the material A, and fluorite (and/or glass) is usedas the material B. As another case, sapphire (and/or fluorite) is usedas the material A, and glass is used as the material B. There arechoices of combinations 1 to 4. An optimum combination is selected inaccordance with the situation of heat load or the degree of freedom indesign. For example, in combination 2, the transparent substrate usedfor the polarizing plate a is made of sapphire, i.e., the material A,and the transparent substrates used for the polarizing plates b and care made of fluorite (or glass), i.e., the material B. Alternatively,the transparent substrate used for the polarizing plate a is made ofsapphire, i.e., the material A, the transparent substrate used for thepolarizing plate b is made of fluorite, i.e., the material B, and thetransparent substrate used for the polarizing plate c is made of glass,i.e., the material B.

[0099] If the heat load on a given polarizing plate is very high, asapphire substrate is used only-for the transparent substrate of thatpolarizing plate, and the board thickness of the transparent substrateis increased. With this arrangement, the polarizing plate can reliablystand the high heat load.

[0100] Combinations when transparent substrates are thick in two opticalpaths will be described next.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 5A, incident- or exit-side polarizing plates d,e, and f are arranged in three optical paths of light componentsseparated into three colors, respectively. For each polarizing plate, apolarizer is bonded to a transparent substrate.

[0102] Assume that the heat load on the respective polarizing platesincreases in an order of d, e, and f (in the polarizing plates d, e andf, the polarizing plate d has the highest heat load, and the polarizingplate f has the lowest heat -load). The transparent substrates of thepolarizing plates d and e are thicker (e.g., thicker by 1.2 times ormore) than that of the polarizing plate f.

[0103]FIG. 5B shows effective combinations when two or more kinds ofmaterials are used for transparent substrates with the abovearrangement. FIG. 5B shows a table of combinations when materials C andD (heat conductivity: C>D) are employed for the transparent substratesof the polarizing plates d, e, and f shown in FIG. 5A. As one case,sapphire is used as the material C, and fluorite (and/or glass) is usedas the material D. As another case, sapphire (and/or fluorite) is usedas the material C, and glass is used as the material D. There arechoices of combinations 5 to 8. An optimum combination is selected inaccordance with the situation of heat load or the degree of freedom indesign. For example, in combination 6, the transparent substrate usedfor the polarizing plate d is made of sapphire, i.e., the material C,and the transparent substrates used for the polarizing plates e and fare made of fluorite, i.e., the material D. Alternatively, thetransparent substrate used for the polarizing plate d is made ofsapphire, i.e., the material C, the transparent substrate used for thepolarizing plate e is made of fluorite (or glass), i.e., the material D,and the transparent substrate used for the polarizing plate f is made ofglass (or fluorite), i.e., the material D.

[0104] In the above-described embodiment, the material of a transparentsubstrate is selected, and the board thickness of the transparentsubstrate is changed in accordance with heat load whereby the heat ofthe polarizing plate can be effectively transmitted to the transparentsubstrate and efficiently radiated by the transparent substrate.

[0105]FIG. 6 shows the optical arrangement of a projecting image displayapparatus (projector apparatus) according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention. The same reference numerals as in the firstembodiment denote the same components in the second embodiment.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 6, white light emitted from a light sourcesection 1 of an ultrahigh-pressure mercury-vapor lamp is reflected by areflector 2 and transmitted through fly-eye lenses 3 and 4. Thedirection of polarization is aligned through a PS conversion element 5by a mirror which separates light into p-polarized light and s-polarizedlight and a λ/2-plate which changes the polarization direction. Thelight that emerges from the PS conversion element 5 passes through acondenser lens 6 and the like. After that, a dichroic mirror DM1 passesa red-band light component and reflects green- and blue-band lightcomponents. The blue-band light component is transmitted through adichroic mirror DM2. The green-band light component is reflected by thedichroic mirror DM2. With this arrangement, the illumination light isseparated into the light components in the red, green, and blue bands.The dichroic mirrors form a color separation optical system.

[0107] Each color light component becomes incident on a correspondingone of liquid crystal display elements 9R, 9G, and 9B and is modulated.The color light components are synthesized by a dichroic prism 11serving as a color synthesis optical system and then projected onto aprojection surface (screen) (not shown) by a projecting lens 12 servingas a projecting optical system. Each of the above liquid crystal displayelements is an image forming panel such as a liquid crystal displaypanel. A transmission-type image forming panel for passing light to forman image is used.

[0108] Each color band will be described in more detail. The red-bandlight component transmitted through the dichroic mirror DM1 is changedin its optical path by 90° by a reflecting mirror MI, passes through afield lens 7R, and becomes incident on an incident-side polarizing plate18RI and liquid crystal display element 9R. The liquid crystal displayelement 9R is driven in accordance with image information supplied froman image information supply apparatus (e.g., a personal computer, TV,video tape recorder, or DVD player) (not shown) and modulates thered-band light component incident thereon.

[0109] The modulated red-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 20RO and dichroic prism 11 in this order. The opticalpath is changed by 90° by the dichroic prism 11. Then, the lightcomponent becomes incident on the projecting lens 12. The dichroic prism11 is a so-called cross dichroic prism formed by bonding four prismswith adhesive such that it has an almost cross-shaped wavelengthselection reflecting (dichroic) layer. In place of the cross dichroicprism, a so-called 3P (3-piece) or a 4P (4-piece) prism formed bybonding three or four prisms having different shapes may be used. Thecross dichroic prism, 3P (3-piece) prism, or 4P (4-piece), prismconstructs a color synthesis optical system.

[0110] On the other hand, the green- and blue-band light componentsreflected and changed in their operation paths by 90° by the dichroicmirror DM1 become incident on the dichroic mirror DM2. The dichroicmirror DM2 has a characteristic for reflecting a green-band lightcomponent G. Hence, the green-band light component is reflected andchanged in its optical path by 90° by the dichroic mirror DM2,transmitted through a field lens 7G, and becomes incident on anincident-side polarizing plate 8GI and liquid crystal display element9G. The liquid crystal display element 9G is driven in accordance withimage information supplied from an image information supply apparatus(not shown) and modulates the green-band light component incidentthereon.

[0111] The modulated green-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10GO and dichroic prism 11 in this order, passesthrough the dichroic prism 11, and becomes incident on the projectinglens 12.

[0112] The blue-band light component transmitted through the dichroicmirror DM2 is transmitted through a condenser lens 13, changed in itsoptical path by 90° by a reflecting mirror M2, transmitted through arelay lens 14, changed in its optical path by 90° again by a reflectingmirror M3, transmitted through a field lens 7B, and becomes incident onan incident-side polarizing plate 8BI and liquid crystal display element9B. The liquid crystal display element 9B is driven in accordance withimage information supplied from an image information supply apparatus(not shown) and modulates the blue-band light component incidentthereon.

[0113] The modulated blue-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10BO and dichroic prism 11 in this order, is changed inits optical path by 90° by the dichroic prism 11, and becomes incidenton the projecting lens 12.

[0114] The light components in the respective color bands, which aresynthesized by the dichroic prism 11, are projected onto the projectionsurface (screen) (not shown) by the projecting lens 12 and displayed asan enlarged image.

[0115] When the color purity of the red band is reduced (when anothercolor band light near the red band is also included), a bright image isobtained. In this case, however, the heat load on the polarizing platearranged in the optical path of the red band increases.

[0116] A measure against this will be described below. As shown in FIG.7, in the incident-side polarizing plate 18RI (exit-side polarizingplate 20RO) which passes a red-band light component, a polarizer 18 b(20 b) is bonded to a transparent substrate 18 a (20 a) such that apredetermined polarizing characteristic can be exhibited.

[0117] If the transparent substrates corresponding to the red-, green-,and blue-band light components are to be made of the same material suchas fluorite, the area of a surface of the transparent substrate 18 a (20a) which passes the red-band light component, to which the polarizer 18b (20 b) is to be bonded, is set to be larger than that of a surface, towhich a polarizer is to be bonded, of the transparent substrate of theincident-side polarizing plate 8GI or exit-side polarizing plate 10GOwhich passes the green-band light component or the incident-sidepolarizing plate 8BI or exit-side polarizing plate 10BO which passes theblue-band light component.

[0118] The relationship between the area ratio of a transparentsubstrate to a polarizer and the temperature of the surface of thetransparent substrate, to which the polarizer is bonded will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the relationshipbetween the area ratio of a transparent substrate to a polarizer (when apolarizer has a predetermined area, the bonding area of the polarizer)and the temperature of the surface of the transparent substrate, towhich the polarizer is bonded when a polarizer having a predeterminedarea is bonded to each of transparent substrates having thicknesses of 1mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm, and the polarizer generates predetermined heat. Thematerial of a transparent substrate is fluorite.

[0119] The result shown in FIG. 8 is obtained when only cooling bynatural convection of air is executed without forcible cooling.

[0120] As is apparent from FIG. 8, if the transparent substrates havethe same thickness, the maximum temperature of the bonding interfacebecomes lower as the ratio of the area of the bonding interface of thetransparent substrate to the area of the polarizer (transparentsubstrate area/polarizer area) increases. That is, to prevent anydegradation in performance due to heat of the polarizer, a high arearatio is more advantageous. The result obtained when a polarizer isbonded to a fluorite substrate having a thickness of 1 mm and an arearatio of 2.0 is the same as the result obtained when a polarizer isbonded to a fluorite substrate having a thickness of 3 mm and an arearatio of 1.2. Even when the material of a transparent substrate issapphire or glass, the same characteristic as in fluorite can beexhibited.

[0121] As is apparent from this fact, even when the transparentsubstrate 18 a (20 a) of the incident-side polarizing plate 18RI orexit-side polarizing plate 20RO which passes the red-band lightcomponent is made of fluorite, the heat load can be sufficiently relaxedby increasing the area ratio. More specifically, when the area ratio ishigher than the area ratios of the transparent substrates which pass theremaining band light components to the polarizers by about 20% (about1.2 times), the difference becomes conspicuous.

[0122] In this embodiment, the area ratio of the fluorite transparentsubstrates used for the incident- and exit-side polarizing platesarranged in the optical path of the red-band light component to thepolarizers bonded to the transparent substrates is made higher than thearea ratio of the fluorite transparent substrates used for the incident-and exit-side polarizing plates arranged in the optical paths of theremaining band light components to the polarizers bonded to thetransparent substrates. However, the area ratio of the transparentsubstrates of the incident- and exit-side polarizing plates arranged inthe optical path of the green- or blue-band light component, for whichthe heat load increases due to the cooling air channel or the like, maybe made higher than those for the remaining band light components.

[0123] In addition, of the incident- and exit-side polarizing plates,only the area ratio of the transparent substrate of a polarizing platewith a high heat load to a polarizer bonded to the transparent substratemay be high.

[0124] The material of the transparent substrate is not limited tofluorite. A glass (or sapphire) transparent substrate may be useddepending on the degree of heat load. In this case as well, when thearea ratio is increased by about 20%, the difference becomesconspicuous.

[0125] In the above-described embodiment, the area of a transparentsubstrate is changed in accordance with heat load whereby the heat ofthe polarizing plate can be effectively transmitted to the transparentsubstrate and efficiently radiated by the transparent substrate.

[0126] Combinations of heat load and the materials and area ratios oftransparent substrates when one of a plurality of transparent substratesis formed from a material different from that of the remainingtransparent substrates will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and9B and FIGS. 10A and 10B. Two or three kinds of materials are used.

[0127] Referring to FIG. 9A, incident- or exit-side polarizing plates a,b, and c are arranged in three optical paths of light componentsseparated into three colors, respectively. For each polarizing plate, apolarizer is bonded to a transparent substrate.

[0128] Assume that the-heat load on the respective polarizing platesincreases in an order of a, b, and c (in the polarizing plates a, b, andc, the polarizing plate a has the highest heat load, and the polarizingplate c has the lowest heat load). The area of the transparent substrateof the polarizing plate a is larger (e.g., larger by 1.2 times or more)than the areas of the transparent substrates of the polarizing plates band c.

[0129]FIG. 9B shows effective combinations when two or more kinds ofmaterials are used for transparent substrates with the abovearrangement. FIG. 9B shows a table of combinations when materials A andB (heat conductivity: A>B) are employed for the transparent substratesof the polarizing plates a, b, and c shown in FIG. 9A. As one case,sapphire is used as the material A, and fluorite (and/or glass) is usedas the material B. As another case, sapphire (and/or fluorite) is usedas the material A, and glass is used as the material B. There arechoices of combinations 1 to 4. An optimum combination is selected inaccordance with the situation of heat load or the degree of freedom indesign. For example, in combination 2, the transparent substrate usedfor the polarizing plate a is made of sapphire, i.e., the material A,and the transparent substrates used for the polarizing plates b and care made of fluorite (or glass), i.e., the material B. Alternatively,the transparent substrate used for the polarizing plate a is made ofsapphire, i.e., the material A, the transparent substrate used for thepolarizing plate b is made of fluorite, i.e., the material B, and thetransparent substrate used for the polarizing plate c is made of glass,i.e., the material B.

[0130] As described above, if the heat load on a given polarizing plateis very high, a sapphire substrate is used only for the transparentsubstrate of that polarizing plate, and the area ratio is increased.With this arrangement, the polarizing plate can reliably stand the highheat load.

[0131] Combinations when the area ratios of transparent substrates topolarizers are high in two optical paths will be described next.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 10A, incident- or exit-side polarizing platesd, e, and f are arranged in three optical paths of light componentsseparated into three colors, respectively. For each polarizing plate, apolarizer is bonded to a transparent substrate.

[0133] Assume that the heat load on the respective polarizing platesincreases in an order of d, e, and f (in the polarizing plates d, e andf, the polarizing plate d has the highest heat load, and the polarizingplate f has the lowest heat load). The area of the transparentsubstrates of the polarizing plates d and e is larger (e.g., larger by1.2 times or more) than the area of the transparent substrate of thepolarizing plate f.

[0134]FIG. 10B shows effective combinations when two or more kinds ofmaterials are used for transparent substrates with the-abovearrangement. FIG. 10B shows a table of combinations when materials C andD (heat conductivity: C>D) are employed for the transparent substratesof the polarizing plates d, e, and f shown in FIG. 10A. As one case,sapphire is used as the material C, and fluorite (and/or glass) is usedas the material D. As another case, sapphire (and/or fluorite) is usedas the material C, and glass is used as the material D. There arechoices of combinations 5 to 8. An optimum combination is selected inaccordance with the situation of heat load or the degree of freedom indesign. For example, in combination 6, the transparent substrate usedfor the polarizing plate d is made of sapphire, i.e., the material C,and the transparent substrates used for the polarizing plates e and fare made of fluorite (or glass), i.e., the material D. Alternatively,the transparent substrate used for the polarizing plate d is made ofsapphire, i.e., the material C, the transparent substrate used for thepolarizing plate e is made of fluorite (or glass), i.e., the material D,and the transparent substrate used for the polarizing plate f is made ofglass (or fluorite), i.e., the material D.

[0135] In the above-described embodiment, the material of a transparentsubstrate is selected, and the area of the transparent substrate ischanged in accordance with heat load whereby the heat of the polarizingplate can be effectively transmitted to the transparent substrate andefficiently radiated by the transparent substrate.

[0136]FIG. 11 shows the optical arrangement of a projecting imagedisplay apparatus (projector apparatus)-according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as inthe first embodiment denote the same components in the third embodiment.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 11, white light emitted from a light sourcesection 1 of an ultrahigh-pressure mercury-vapor lamp is reflected by areflector 2 and transmitted through fly-eye lenses 3 and 4. Thedirection of polarization is aligned through a PS conversion element 5by a mirror which separates light into p-polarized light and s-polarizedlight and a λ/2-plate which changes the polarization direction. Thelight that emerges from the PS conversion element 5 passes through acondenser lens 6 and the like. After that, a dichroic mirror DM1 passesa red-band light component and reflects green- and blue-band lightcomponents. The blue-band light component is transmitted through adichroic mirror DM2. The green-band light component is reflected by thedichroic mirror DM2. With this arrangement, the illumination light isseparated into the light components in the red, green, and blue bands.The dichroic mirrors form a color separation optical system.

[0138] Each color light component becomes incident on a correspondingone of liquid crystal display elements 9R, 9G, and 9B and is modulated.The color light components are synthesized by a dichroic prism 11serving as a color synthesis optical system and then projected onto aprojection surface (screen) (not shown) by a projecting lens 12 servingas a projecting optical system. Each of the above liquid crystal displayelements is an image forming panel such as a liquid crystal displaypanel. A transmission-type image forming panel for passing light to forman image is used.

[0139] Each color band will be described in more detail. The red-bandlight component transmitted through the dichroic mirror DM1 is changedin its optical path by 90° by a reflecting mirror MI, passes through afield lens 28RI with polarizer, and becomes incident on the liquidcrystal display element 9R. The liquid crystal display element 9R isdriven in accordance with image information supplied from an imageinformation supply apparatus (e.g., a personal computer, TV, video taperecorder, or DVD player) (not shown) and modulates the red-band lightcomponent incident thereon.

[0140] The modulated red-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10RO and dichroic prism 11 in this order. The opticalpath is changed by 90° by the dichroic prism 11. Then, the lightcomponent becomes incident on the projecting lens 12. The dichroic prism11 is a so-called cross dichroic prism formed by bonding four prismswith adhesive such that it has an almost cross-shaped wavelengthselection reflecting (dichroic) layer. In place of the cross dichroicprism, a so-called 3P (3-piece) or a 4P (4-piece) prism formed bybonding three or four prisms having different shapes may be used. Thecross dichroic prism, 3P (3-piece) prism, or 4P (4-piece) prismconstructs a color synthesis optical system.

[0141] On the other hand, the green- and blue-band light componentsreflected and changed in their operation paths by 90° by the dichroicmirror DM1 become incident on the dichroic mirror DM2. The dichroicmirror DM2 has a characteristic for reflecting a green-band lightcomponent G. Hence, the green-band light component is reflected andchanged in its optical path by 90° by the dichroic mirror DM2,transmitted through a field lens 7G, and becomes incident on anincident-side polarizing plate 8GI and liquid crystal display element9G. The liquid crystal display element 9G is driven in accordance withimage information supplied from an image information supply apparatus(not shown) and modulates the green-band light component incidentthereon.

[0142] The modulated green-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10GO and dichroic prism 11 in this order, passesthrough the dichroic prism 11, and becomes incident on the projectinglens 12.

[0143] The blue-band light component transmitted through the dichroicmirror DM2 is transmitted through a condenser lens 13, relay lens 14,reflecting mirrors M2 and M3, and field lens 7B and becomes incident onan incident-side polarizing plate 8BI and liquid crystal display element9B. The liquid crystal display element 9B is driven in accordance withimage information supplied from an image information supply apparatus(not shown) and modulates the blue-band light component incidentthereon.

[0144] The modulated blue-band light component strikes an exit-sidepolarizing plate 10BO and dichroic prism 11 in this order, is changed inits optical path by 90° by the dichroic prism 11, and becomes incidenton the projecting lens 12.

[0145] The light components in the respective color bands, which aresynthesized by the dichroic prism 11, are projected onto the projectionsurface (screen) (not shown) by the projecting lens 12 and displayed asan enlarged image.

[0146] When the color purity of the red band is reduced (when anothercolor band light near the red band is also included), a bright image isobtained. In this case, however, the heat load on the polarizing platearranged in the optical path of the red band increases.

[0147] A measure against this will be described below. As shown in FIG.12, the field lens 28RI used as the transparent substrate of thepolarizing plate which passes a red-band light component is formed bybonding a polarizer 28 b to the exit plane of a lens section(corresponding to a transparent substrate) 28 a such that apredetermined polarizing characteristic can be exhibited. The field lensand transparent substrate are formed from the same material, i.e.,fluorite.

[0148] The field lens serving as one transparent substrate has a shapedifferent from the planar shape of each of the remaining transparentsubstrates. The incident surface of the lens section 28 a of the fieldlens is formed from a spherical surface (alternatively, a convexsurface, concave surface, aspherical surface, or free-form surface maybe possible). Its size or thickness at the center can be relativelyfreely set. That is, the surface area of one transparent substrate islarger than those of the remaining transparent substrates. In thisembodiment, the shape (the area or thickness of the lens 28 a) of thefield lens serving as one transparent substrate is set to be different(larger in area or thickness) from the planar shape of the transparentsubstrate of the incident-side polarizing plate 8GI or exit-sidepolarizing plate 10GO which passes the green-band light component or theincident-side polarizing plate 8BI or exit-side polarizing plate 10BOwhich passes the blue-band light component. That is, the field lensserving as one transparent substrate has a shape different from those ofthe remaining transparent substrates (the surface area of onetransparent substrate (field lens) is larger than those of the remainingtransparent substrates).

[0149] In this embodiment as well, when the shape of the transparentsubstrate (field lens 28RI) to which an incident-side polarizer whichpasses the red-band light component is bonded is appropriately optimizedon the basis of the relationship shown in FIG. 3 of the first embodimentor FIG. 8 of the second embodiment, the heat load can be sufficientlyrelaxed even when fluorite is used as the material of the transparentsubstrate (lens).

[0150] In this embodiment, an incident-side polarizer is bonded to thefield lens serving as a transparent substrate arranged in the opticalpath of the red-band light component, and the shape of the field lens isoptimized. However, the transparent substrate of the green or blue band,for which the heat load increases due to the cooling air channel or thelike, may serve as a field lens, and a polarizer may be bonded to thefield lens.

[0151] Additionally, in this embodiment, a polarizer is bonded to afield lens made of fluorite, and the shape of the field lens isoptimized. Depending on the degree of heat load, a polarizer may beboned to a glass field lens, and the shape of the field lens may beoptimized.

[0152] In the above embodiment, as the shape of the transparentsubstrate, the field lens has a planar surface on one side and aspherical lens section on the other side. However, if the surface areabecomes larger than that of a planar transparent substrate, and thedisplay image to be projected is not affected, the polarizer may be heldby a planar surface on one side, and the surface on the other side maybe formed into a wave shape or grating shape such that the surface areabecomes larger than a planar surface.

[0153] Combinations of heat load and the materials and shapes oftransparent substrates when one of a plurality of transparent substratesis formed from a material different from that of the remainingtransparent substrates will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and13B and FIGS. 14A and 14B. Two or three kinds of materials are used.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 13A, incident- or exit-side polarizing platesa, b, and c are arranged in three optical paths of light componentsseparated into three colors, respectively. For each polarizing plate, apolarizer is bonded to a transparent substrate.

[0155] Assume that the heat load on the respective polarizing platesincreases in an order of a, b, and c (in the polarizing plates a, b, andc, the polarizing plate a has the highest heat load, and the polarizingplate c has the lowest heat load). The transparent substrate of thepolarizing plate a has a shape different from the planar shapes of thepolarizing plates b and c and has a larger surface area and volume (afield lens in which one surface has a planar shape and the other surfacehas a spherical shape is used).

[0156]FIG. 13B shows effective combinations when two or more kinds ofmaterials are used for transparent substrates with the abovearrangement. FIG. 13B shows a table of combinations when materials A andB (heat conductivity: A>B) are employed for the transparent substratesof the polarizing plates a, b, and c shown in FIG. 13A. As one case,sapphire is used as the material A, and fluorite (and/or glass) is usedas the material B. As another case, sapphire (and/or fluorite) is usedas the material A, and glass is used as the material B. There arechoices of combinations 1 to 4. An optimum combination is selected inaccordance with the situation of heat load or the degree of freedom indesign. For example, in combination 2, the transparent substrate usedfor the polarizing plate a is made of sapphire, i.e., the material A,and the transparent substrates used for the polarizing plates b and care made of fluorite (or glass), i.e., the material B. Alternatively,the transparent substrate used for the polarizing plate a is made ofsapphire, i.e., the material A, the transparent substrate used for thepolarizing plate b is made of fluorite, i.e., the material B, and thetransparent substrate used for the polarizing plate c is made of glass,i.e., the material B.

[0157] As described above, if the heat load on a given polarizing plateis very high, sapphire is used only for that field lens, and the shapeis optimized (the surface area is increased). With this arrangement, thefield lens (the transparent substrate of the polarizing plate) canreliably stand the high heat load.

[0158] Combinations when the shapes of transparent substrates in twooptical paths are different from that in the remaining optical path willbe described next.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 14A, incident- or exit-side polarizing platesd, e, and f are arranged in three optical paths of light componentsseparated into three colors, respectively. For each polarizing plate, apolarizer is bonded to a transparent substrate.

[0160] Assume that the heat load on the respective polarizing platesincreases in an order of d, e, and f (in the polarizing plates d, e andf, the polarizing plate d has the highest heat load, and the polarizingplate f has the lowest heat load). The transparent substrates of thepolarizing plates d and e have a shape different from the planar shapeof the polarizing plate f and has a larger surface area and volume(field lenses in each of which one surface has a planar shape and theother surface has-a spherical shape are used).

[0161]FIG. 14B shows effective combinations when two or more kinds ofmaterials are used for transparent substrates with the abovearrangement. FIG. 14B shows a table of combinations when materials C andD (heat conductivity: C>D) are employed for the transparent substratesof the polarizing plates d, e, and f shown in FIG. 14A. As one case,sapphire is used as the material C, and fluorite (and/or glass) is usedas the material D. As another case, sapphire (and/or fluorite) is usedas the material C, and glass is used as the material D. There arechoices of combinations 5 to 8. An optimum combination is selected inaccordance with the situation of heat load or the degree of freedom indesign. For example, in combination 6, the transparent substrate usedfor the polarizing plate d is made of sapphire (or fluorite), i.e., thematerial C, and the transparent substrates used for the polarizingplates e and f are made of fluorite (or glass), i.e., the material D.Alternatively, the transparent substrate used for the polarizing plate dis made of sapphire, i.e., the material C, the transparent substrateused for the polarizing plate e is made of fluorite (or glass), i.e.,the material D, and the transparent substrate used for the polarizingplate f is made of glass (or fluorite), i.e., the material D.

[0162] In the above-described embodiment, the material of a transparentsubstrate is selected, and the shape (surface area) of the transparentsubstrate is changed in accordance with heat load whereby the heat ofthe polarizing plate can be effectively transmitted to the transparentsubstrate and efficiently radiated by the transparent substrate.

[0163] In the above-described embodiments, in a projector apparatus inwhich a transmission-type image forming panel such as a liquid crystaldisplay panel for passing light to form an image is used as an imageforming panel, a transparent substrate that holds a polarizer in theabove-described embodiments is used. However, a transparent substratethat holds a polarizer in the above-described embodiments may be used ina projector apparatus in which a reflection-type image forming panelsuch as a liquid crystal display panel for reflecting light to form animage is used. In this case, the optical system uses a color separationoptical system, color synthesis optical system, and a colorseparation/synthesis optical system having both functions of colorseparation and color synthesis.

[0164] As has been described above, according to each of theabove-described embodiments, the material of a transparent substrate isselected, and the surface area (thickness, area, or volume) of thetransparent substrate is changed in accordance with heat load wherebythe heat of the polarizing plate can be effectively transmitted to thetransparent substrate and efficiently radiated by the transparentsubstrate. The heat load on the polarizing plate can be effectively andsufficiently relaxed. Hence, the cost can be reduced while properlypreventing any degradation in image quality due to heat.

What is claimed is:
 1. A projector apparatus comprising: a colorseparation optical system which separates illumination light into aplurality of color light components; a plurality of image forming panelsilluminated with the plurality of color light components, respectively;a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the light componentsfrom said plurality of image forming panels illuminated; a projectingoptical system which projects light from said color synthesis opticalsystem; and transparent substrates each arranged on at least one ofincident and exit surface sides of said plurality of image formingpanels, each of said transparent substrates holding a polarizer, whereina thickness of at least one of said plurality of transparent substratesis larger than those of the remaining transparent substrates.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the at leastone transparent substrate is not less than 1.2 times larger than thoseof the remaining transparent substrates.
 3. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said plurality of transparent substrates areessentially formed from a material selected from the group consisting ofsapphire, fluorite, and glass.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said at least one of said plurality of transparent substratesand the remaining transparent substrates are essentially formed fromdifferent materials selected from the group consisting of sapphire,fluorite, and glass.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidat least one transparent substrate of said plurality of transparentsubstrates is essentially formed from a material selected from the groupconsisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass, and the remainingtransparent substrates are essentially formed from one or two materialswhich are different from the material of said at least one transparentsubstrate and are selected from the group consisting of sapphire,fluorite, and glass.
 6. A projector apparatus comprising: a colorseparation optical system which separates illumination light into aplurality of color light components; a plurality of image forming panelsilluminated with the plurality of color light components, respectively;a color synthesis optical system which synthesizes the light componentsfrom said plurality of image forming panels illuminated; a projectingoptical system which projects light from said color synthesis opticalsystem; and transparent substrates each arranged on at least one ofincident and exit surface sides of said plurality of image formingpanels, each of said transparent substrates holding a polarizer, whereinan area ratio of at least one of said plurality of transparentsubstrates to a polarizer held by the transparent substrate is largerthan area ratios of the remaining transparent substrates to polarizersheld by the remaining transparent substrates.
 7. An apparatus accordingto claim 6, wherein the area ratio of the at least one transparentsubstrate to the polarizer held by said at least one transparentsubstrate is not less than 1.2 times larger than the area ratios of theremaining transparent substrates to the polarizers held by the remainingtransparent substrates.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, whereinsaid plurality of transparent substrates are essentially formed from amaterial selected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, andglass.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least oneof said plurality of transparent substrates and the remainingtransparent substrates are essentially formed from different materialsselected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass. 10.An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said at least one transparentsubstrates of said plurality of transparent substrates is essentiallyformed from a material selected from the group consisting of sapphire,fluorite, and glass, and the remaining transparent substrates areessentially formed from one or two materials which are different fromthe material of said at least one transparent substrate and are selectedfrom the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass.
 11. Aprojector apparatus comprising: a color separation optical system whichseparates illumination light into a plurality of color light components;a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with the plurality ofcolor light components, respectively; a color synthesis optical systemwhich synthesizes the light components from said plurality of imageforming panels illuminated; a projecting optical system which projectslight from said color synthesis optical system; and transparentsubstrates each arranged on at least one of incident and exit surfacesides of said plurality of image forming panels, each of saidtransparent substrates holding a polarizer, wherein an area of at leastone of said plurality of transparent substrates is larger than those ofthe remaining transparent substrates.
 12. An apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the area of the at least one transparent substrate isnot less than 1.2 times larger than those of the remaining transparentsubstrates.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein saidplurality of transparent substrates are essentially formed from amaterial selected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, andglass.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said at least oneof said plurality of transparent substrates and the remainingtransparent substrates are essentially formed from different materialsselected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass. 15.An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said at least onetransparent substrate of said plurality of transparent substrates isessentially formed from a material selected from the group consisting ofsapphire, fluorite, and glass, and the remaining transparent substratesare essentially formed from one or two materials which are differentfrom the material of said at least one transparent substrate and areselected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass. 16.A projector apparatus comprising: a color separation optical systemwhich separates illumination light into a plurality of color lightcomponents; a plurality of image forming panels illuminated with theplurality of color light components, respectively; a color synthesisoptical system which synthesizes the light components from saidplurality of image forming panels illuminated; a projecting opticalsystem which projects light from said color synthesis optical system;and transparent substrates each arranged on at least one of incident andexit surface sides of said plurality of image forming panels, each ofsaid transparent substrates holding a polarizer, wherein a surface areaof at least one of said plurality of transparent substrates is largerthan those of the remaining transparent substrates.
 17. An apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein the at least one transparent substratehas a shape with a curvature, and the remaining transparent substrateshave a planar shape.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 16, whereinsaid plurality of transparent substrates are essentially formed from amaterial selected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, andglass.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said at least oneof said plurality of transparent substrates and the remainingtransparent substrates are essentially formed from different materialsselected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass. 20.An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said at least onetransparent substrate of said plurality of transparent substrates isessentially formed from a material selected from the group consisting ofsapphire, fluorite, and glass, and the remaining transparent substratesare essentially formed from one or two materials which are differentfrom the material of said at least one transparent substrate and areselected from the group consisting of sapphire, fluorite, and glass.